Sen. Allen Crosses Aisle on Gay Marriage Vote

Throwing political expediency to the wind, State Sen. Diane Allen (R-7) crossed the aisle last month to vote in favor of legalizing gay marriage in New Jersey.

For Allen—one of two Republican senators to vote for gay marriage—it was the latest salvo in a lifelong fight against discrimination. 

A former TV news anchor who stood up to her former employer for discriminatory practices, Allen said she “came to government with the belief in using what power we have to eliminate discrimination … That’s something that’s always been a part of who I am.”

Though New Jersey legalized same-sex civil unions in 2006, it wasn’t enough, Allen said. Civil unions are not widely recognized and in many cases do not provide the same benefits (hospital visitation rights, Social Security benefits) as marriages. 

“It really became an issue of working against discrimination,” said Allen, acknowledging that “recognizing something as discrimination sometimes takes a little longer.”

She voted against civil unions for same-sex couples in 2006, but insisted her reversal on the issue is not a “flip-flop.” 

“Where I am today is something that has progressed over a period of years,” she explained. “As you get more information, you hope you’re always open … You hope your legislators grow in their understanding and belief.”

Allen, who represents Moorestown and Cinnaminson in District 7, said her office received a number of phone calls in favor of the Legislature’s gay marriage bill prior to the vote, and none of her Republican colleagues tried to talk her out of supporting it.

However, after she helped provide the , Allen said she received phone calls from two very upset constituents—one of whom told her they would “do everything they could” to get her out of office.

“So there could be some interesting ramifications. And if that’s the case, so be it,” she said. “I always try to vote what I think is right.”

The gay marriage bill passed both the Senate and Assembly last month, but was conditionally vetoed by Gov. Christie shortly thereafter.

Following the veto, Christie reiterated his belief that gay couples in civil unions deserve the same rights and benefits enjoyed by married couples, and again suggested a November referendum on the issue. 

The Legislature could attempt to override the veto, but the votes needed to do that “just don’t exist” in the Assembly right now, Allen said. She believes the decision will ultimately be made by the state Supreme Court, not legislators.

New Jersey is just one of several states to take up the gay marriage issue recently. So far, eight states have legalized same-sex marriage, including, most recently, Washington and Maryland. 

Allen, however, doesn’t think the issue should be handled on a state-by-state basis.

“I think this probably should be dealt with federally, as other things have relating to individual rights,” she said.